Lexington

Lexington, the central horse in the novel, represents the way in which shared history links together people and events across both time and space. In the mid-19th century, Lexington becomes known as a champion racehorse as well as one of the greatest stud stallions of all time. Although Lexington dies in the 1870s, the horse’s influence persists into the 20th and 21st centuries. Chapters occurring in the 1950s, as well those set in 2019, explore the ways in which Lexington’s legacy (while sometimes overlooked) continually sheds light on the personal, cultural, and political structures of the United States. In this way, Lexington unites disparate actors and events across a wide swath of American history.

Scott’s Portrait of Lexington and Jarret

By the end of the novel, Thomas J. Scott’s portrait of Lexington and Jarret grows to symbolize Jarret’s own freedom. In...